X-Message-Number: 7863
Date: Sun, 16 Mar 1997 07:59:37 -0700
From: David Brandt-Erichsen <>
Subject: Oregon update

Note:  The Oregon State Medical Examiner says autopsies may be required for
assisted suicides under Measure 16!       

        Excerpted from the PORTLAND OREGONIAN
        (March 13/97; Sunrise; page E03)

        TESTIMONY CLASHES ON SUICIDE MEASURE
        MARK O'KEEFE - of the Oregonian Staff The Associated Press
        contributed to this report.

        Summary: A House panel hears witnesses for and against the law
        that a federal appeals court says can go into effect

        ...

        Rep. Ron Sunseri, R-Gresham, chairman of a judicial subcommittee,
        also said the Legislature has concerns about key issues left
        unclear after voters approved the law in 1994.

        In testimony Tuesday, Dr. Larry Lewman, the state medical
        examiner, noted another problem with the law. Suicides conducted
        under the law would fall under the category of suspicious deaths
        and would require a police investigation and perhaps an autopsy,
        he said.

        Hearings continue today, beginning at 3:15 p.m. in Room 357 of the
        Capitol. A bill is not expected to clear the committee and make it
        to the entire Legislature for weeks.

        Last month, a federal appeals court gave the legal go-ahead for
        the stalled Oregon law, meaning doctors could be assisting
        suicides as early as April. Opponents still have time to file an
        appeal.


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